Mbarara University Data Science Research Hub

FROM MEDICAL IMAGES TO HEALTHCARE PRACTICE: DATA SCIENCE FOR IMPROVED CLINICAL OUTCOMES AND IMPACT ACROSS SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Mbarara University of Science and Technology in collaboration with (1) Massachusetts General Hospital – MGH, (2) Massachusetts Institute of Technology – MIT, (3) Kwame Nkurumah University of Science and Technology – KNUST, and (4) College of Ophthalmologists of Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa – COECSA are implementing a 5-Year grant from Fogarty International Center, NIH Grant No. U54TW012043 to set up the Mbarara University Data Science Research Hub (MUDSReH).

Overall Plan for the Research Hub

Medical images offer great potential for supporting clinical diagnosis and care management; however, their utility for African researchers and clinicians are limited by the number of images
available, insufficient linkage to relevant clinical data, limited data from African populations for proper image interpretation, and poor implementation in clinical practice. The Mbarara University Data Science Research Hub is designed to overcome these barriers through robust Data Management and Analysis and Administrative Cores, initially supporting projects in posterior segment eye disease and cervical cancer with plans for expansion to new projects and sites, as well as training in data science and implementation science.

Research Project 1: Multimodal Database of Retinal Images in Africa (MoDRIA)

Research Project 2: Automated Visual Evaluation and geospatial Mapping (AVE-Map) for cervical cancer screening optimization in sub-Saharan Africa

MUDSReH LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

Multiple PD/PI 1 and Hub Director: Prof. Celestino Obua (MUST)
Multiple PD/PI 2: Dr. Leo Celi (Data science – MIT)
Multiple PD/PI 3: Dr. Jessica Haberer (Implementation science – MGH)
Hub Deputy Director/ Administrative core lead: Dr. Edith Wakida (Overall program Implementation – MUST)
Data Management and Analysis core lead: Dr. Fred Kaggwa (MUST)
Hub Administrator: Ms. Samantha Mary (MUST)

Co- Investigators

Multimodal Database of Retinal Images in Africa (MoDRIA)
• Dr. Simon Arunga (MUST)
• Dr. Michael Gichangi (COECSA)

Automated Visual Evaluation and geospatial Mapping (AVE-Map) for cervical cancer screening optimization in sub-Saharan Africa
• Dr. Joseph Ngonzi (MUST)
• Dr. Thomas Konney (KNUST)

Additional research projects will include
• Dermatology
• Radiology
• Microbiology/Pathology

DURATION: 5 Years